When efficiency, equity, voice, and other employee, union, and corporate goals conflict with each other, what should happen next? Should property rights dominate labor rights? Should labor rights dominate property rights? Should they be balanced? Defend your reasoning.

HRM 330 DeVry Week 1 Discussion 2

Contemporary Pressures in Labor Relations (graded)

Discuss the current pressures on the U.S. labor relations system—on the corporate side, workplace flexibility and employment involvement (stemming at least partly from globalization) and on the labor side, low union density, a representation gap, and difficulties in organizing new workers.

HRM 330 DeVry Week 2 Discussion 1

Union and Labor Key Strategies (graded)

Like any business, labor relations require a strategic approach to create an efficient plan in support of employees. What is a key union or labor strategy that is still used today? What is a key historical strategy that should no longer be part of a labor relations plan? Thoroughly explain both responses.

HRM 330 DeVry Week 2 Discussion 2

Labor History (graded)

It has been written, “The attempt of persons to understand the forces remaking their world and, by organization, to control them, constitutes the major motif of the social history of the late 19th century.” Describe how this statement applies to workers and unions in the different periods of labor history. Does this statement have applicability in today’s labor relations arena?

HRM 330 DeVry Week 3 Discussion 1

HR Strategy and the Employee Voice (graded)

Human resource professionals need to ensure that employees have a voice in the employment relationship with their employers. From an HR perspective, what strategies would you consider employing to make sure employees have the ability to have a voice? Explain your reasoning for those strategies.

HRM 330 DeVry Week 3 Discussion 2

Union Organizing Process (graded)

Discuss what you think are the most important challenges for both unions and management in a union workplace. Why are the challenges in a nonunion workplace? How have these challenges changed over the last 5 to 10 years?

HRM 330 DeVry Week 4 Discussion 1

Labor Law (graded)

In both private and public sectors, a sharp increase in union membership coincides with the passage of protective legislation. A long-standing debate is whether increased demand for unionization causes new legislation or vice versa. What side of this argument do you find yourself on and why? Explain your reasoning. Bring in recent examples in the news that support your stand.

HRM 330 DeVry Week 4 Discussion 2

Bargaining (graded)

Bargaining has resulted in many rights and benefits for all employees within the workplace. Describe your understanding of the purpose of bargaining. Conduct some additional research, and review a case study that includes union bargaining (be sure to cite your source of the case study).

HRM 330 DeVry Week 5 Discussion 1

Interest Arbitration (graded)

List the pros and cons of interest arbitration. Why do you think the usage of interest arbitration in the private sector is so low? This section lists options that can be used to view responses.

HRM 330 DeVry Week 5 Discussion 2

Grievances (graded)

A union-represented employee filed a grievance with her employer because she was terminated. The employer stated they were in an at-will state and had the right to terminate anyone at any time without cause. The former employee was terminated with no reason given, so the employer states he had the right to terminate her on the spot. Share your thoughts on this scenario as the labor relations professional. Detail what steps you would take, if any, and explain each step thoroughly. Be sure to cite labor law accordingly.

HRM 330 DeVry Week 6 Discussion 1

Conflict Management (graded)

Some conflict management styles include avoidance, accommodation, competition, compromise, and collaboration. Which style do you think you use for conflict resolution? Share why you tend to use that approach to resolve conflicts. Also share instances when a particular style did not go so well. Why, from your view, did that happen? What, if anything, did you learn when that style did not help?

HRM 330 DeVry Week 6 Discussion 2

Resolving Labor Disputes (graded)

According to Arbitrator Daugherty (Koven and Smith, 2006), there are seven tests of just cause.

Was the worker given advance warning of the consequences of his or her conduct?

Was the rule, order, or standard reasonably related to employee performance?

Was the alleged violation thoroughly investigated before discipline?

Was the investigation fair and objective?

Did the investigation reveal convincing proof of guilt?

Was the employer's discipline nondiscriminatory?

Was the discipline reasonably related to the worker's record and the severity of the conduct?

How would you answer these questions based on the following scenario? Be thorough because you will be presenting this in front of the union.

Scenario

An employee received a disciplinary letter for her personnel file because she made a mistake on the job. This letter removes seniority points from her record. The company is in the middle of layoffs, and as a result of this letter, this employee would be next for layoff, when without the letter, she would have been safe. The mistake did not cost the business money but rather embarrassment to the supervisor, according to the employee. The contract states that the disciplinary process may be used for performance issues. The supervisor stated that the employee’s mistake was a performance issue and he had the right to issue a disciplinary letter. This employee’s previous performance appraisals have been satisfactory and above.

What recommendations would you make to union and management leadership in order to meet the demands of a constantly changing workplace? What are some possible warnings?

HRM 330 DeVry Week 7 Discussion 2

Companies, Unions, and the 21st Century (graded)

There is going to be a major generation shift with baby boomers leaving the workplace. Generations X and Y do not have the same ties to union activities as the baby boomers. What might unions have to offer these new generations? How would unions go about connecting with these two generations?

HRM 330 DeVry Week 3 Labor Relations Paper

Details:

Your first written assignment is due this week. The end of Chapter 6 has four scenarios for you to write about. The title of the assignment is HR Strategy Responding to a Union Organizing Drive. These scenarios ask you to analyze the issues and develop a course of action for each scenario.

Read each scenario and: See the HRM330 Labor Relations Paper Assignment in Doc Sharing for details.

Outline your various alternatives in responding to the union organizing drive.

Develop and support a specific recommended course of action to present to upper management. Do not include the scenarios in the paper. The focus of the assignment is to develop alternatives and a course of action for each of the four scenarios.

Submit your assignment to the Dropbox located on the silver tab at the top of this page. For instructions on how to use the Dropbox, read these .next.ecollege.com/default/launch.ed?ssoType=DVUHubSSO2&node=184">step-by-step instructions or watch this

Written Assignment #1

HR Strategy Responding to a Union Organizing Drive

Due Week 3

Assignment Overview

There are 4 scenarios at the end of Chapter 6 of the textbook, pages 225 and 226. The purpose of this assignment is to provide you with real world exposure to the functions performed by labor relations. This assignment is worth 150 points; see rubric below.

Preparing for this Assignment

Read through each of the 4 scenarios. Spend some time analyzing what actions you would take as the HR Manager for these organizations.

Assignment Criteria

1. Write a 6-8 page paper (does not include title page or reference page/pages) providing a “summary” of your actions.

a. You are the HR Manager for each scenario.

b. Read through each scenario.

c. Read through the Plan-Do Check-Act (PDCA) process that is located in DocSharing. This will be helpful in your analysis of the issues as well as offering viable recommendations.

d. Outline your various alternatives in responding to the union organizing drive.

e. Develop and support a specific recommended course of action to present to upper management.

2. Follow APA format guidelines.

3. You should be able to cover the alternatives and recommended actions in 1 1/2 to 2 pages for each scenario.

4. The paper should include theory application. In other words, once you have conducted your analysis, what theories link to the Labor Relations processes/functions? For example, spend a little time justifying the recommendations you made to upper management. Why should management pursue your suggestions? What analysis have you done that makes your recommendations viable? What are the pros and cons of the recommendations?

Assignment Rubric

Item

Criteria

Points

Introduction / Conclusion

Introduction provides sufficient background on the topic and previews major points. Conclusion is logical, flows from the body of the paper, and reviews the major points.

10

Content

All key elements of the assignment are covered in a substantive way. Page count follows assignment criteria. Major points are stated clearly, are supported by specific details (examples or analysis), and are organized logically.

60

Theory

The paper links theory to relevant examples of current experience and industry practice, and uses the vocabulary of the theory correctly.

40

Readability

Paragraph transitions are present and logical, flow maintained throughout paper. Sentences are complete, clear, and concise. Sentence topic transitions are present and maintain the flow of thought.

20

Mechanics

The paper, including the title page, reference page, citations, etc., follows APA guidelines for format. Rules of grammar usage and punctuation are followed. Spelling is correct.

20

Total Points

150

HRM 330 DeVry Week 5 You Decide

Scenario Summary

Carol Fern has been employed by Bainbridge Borough for 18 years as a tax clerk. The tax clerk position is part of the bargaining unit represented by Local 10 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). When Carol and her husband found out that she was unable to conceive, they decided to adopt a child. The Ferns were notified on April 22 that a 3-month-old baby girl was available and they could adopt her in three days. However, Carol told the adoption agency that she thought it was unfair to leave the company on such short notice because April was a busy tax season. Adoption was delayed until May 2. On April 27, Carol requested two weeks of paid vacation for May 2 to May 17. This request was granted. The day before she was to return from her paid vacation, Carol asked for 6 months of unpaid maternity leave. The request had to be approved by the Bainbridge Borough Council, which rejected the request by a 4-3 vote. However, the council did offer Carol two consecutive 90-day reasonable purpose leaves (amounting to 6 months of leave).

On June 1, the following grievance was filed.

According to Article X, Section 4.A—Unpaid Leaves, 5. Maternity on page 13 of the final agreement between Bainbridge Borough and Local 10: Maternity leaves not to exceed 6 months shall be granted at the request of an employee. Maternity leaves shall, upon the request of the employee, be extended or renewed for a period not to exceed 6 months. Relief or remedy sought: Granting of the just and deserved leave request.

A Potentially Relevant Contract Provision A. Leaves of absence for a limited period without pay—not to exceed 90 days—shall be granted for any reasonable purpose. Extension to be granted with approval of Borough Council.

Your Role/Assignment

The Issue

The union claims that the company violated the collective bargaining agreement by denying Carole Fern’s request for maternity leave. Carole Fern is clearly a new mother and is therefore entitled to the leave specified by the contract. The town argues that maternity leave is for mothers of naturally-born infants, not adopted children, and therefore, Carole Fern is not entitled to maternity leave.

So, decide which one is correct: Does maternity leave apply to adoptive mothers or only to mothers actually giving birth?

Key Players

Carol Fern

Tax Clerk

Town People

Sally Stevens

CEO of company

Bob Smith

Union leader

YOU DECIDE Assignment

You have three areas of focus for this assignment.

As an attorney for Bainbridge Borough, develop a case to support the council’s rejection of Carol Fern’s unpaid maternity leave request.

As an attorney for AFSCME Local 10, develop an argument to support your client’s contention that the council’s rejection of Carol’s unpaid maternity leave request violated the collective bargaining agreement.

As an arbitrator, how would you rule? Why?

Write a two- to three-page paper, (double-spaced, 12 point type, APA style) that outlines the case for Bainbridge Borough, the case for AFSCME Local 10, and how you would rule as an arbitrator based on the facts you have for this case.

Category

Description

Points

Bainbridge Rejection

Based on the collective bargaining agreement wording, defend why Carol’s request should be denied.

20

Union’s Contention

Based on the collective bargaining agreement, defend why Carol’s request should be granted.

20

Arbitrator’s Perspective

Present the issues that the arbitrator has to analyze in making a decision on the grievance.

30

Total

You have thoroughly presented both sides of the argument and have shown the arbitrator’s rationale in the decision to sustain or deny the grievance.

70

HRM 330 DeVry Week 7 Course Project

Beginning or End of Unions?

Submit your project to the Dropbox located on the silver tab at the top of this page. For instructions on how to use the Dropbox, read these step-by-step instructions or watch this Tutorial Dropbox Tutorial.

See the Syllabus section "Due Dates for Assignments & Exams" for due date information.

The purpose of this project is to apply your critical-thinking skills to address the following concepts in a comprehensive paper. Do not simply respond to these items but provide a fully reviewed paper about the future of unions.

The objective of this paper is to share your professional understanding related to labor relations and unions based on theory. Include the theories from the discussions, your readings, and the TCOs reviewed throughout the course in this paper.

See the Course Project Paper Tour below for more information and tips for writing the paper.

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These are the topics you have to choose from to write the course paper.

In today’s economic climate, with more and more organizations continuing to shed jobs, can unions survive?

Consider a specific union, such as the United Auto Workers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Teamsters, National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, and so forth, and discuss their viability into the future. What does this specific union need to focus on to remain in the business world?

What changes are needed for unions to maintain support from their membership, the community, and the employers?

Labor unions are experiencing a decline, which includes political influence and membership. How does politics influence membership decline?

What generational aspects (i.e., baby boomers, Generation X, Generation Y) have influenced labor unions and will continue to do so?

What other external dynamics are impacting labor unions? For example, how does the global workforce impact union strategies? For unions, where were they, where are they, and where do they need to go to remain or regain an active and viable organization in the 21st century?

For unions, where were they, where are they, and where do they need to go to remain or regain an active and viable organization in the 21st century?

What is the future of public sector employees and their union membership? A number of states have focused on reducing benefits and union rights. Is this the future and will this focus spread to other organizations outside of the public sector that have unions?

What types of bargaining strategies need to be put into place for unions to be able to survive inside organizations?

Guidelines

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Write an 8- to 10-page paper (excluding title and reference pages) that identifies the challenges that unions face in the 21st century.

Include all aspects of the assignment criteria outlined.

Use a 12-point Times Roman or Arial font, double-space it, and have 1 in. margins as a standard format.

Do not include extra lines between paragraphs and so forth.

You should use theory throughout your paper, which covers the aspects of the TCOs reviewed in the previous weeks.

You should use a minimum of six scholarly resources.

DeVry University policies are in effect, including the plagiarism policy: cite in text when quoting (copying information word for word) or using words and thoughts that are not your own.

Submit assignments in Word documents only to the Dropbox by the due date.

Graphs and tables are not needed and should not be used in this paper.

Grammar, punctuation, spelling, and so forth will all be taken into consideration when awarding points.

Proofread your papers before submitting; spell check is not foolproof.

This paper is worth 250 points and will be graded on the quality of the research topic, quality of paper information, and use of citations, grammar, and sentence structure.

Papers are due in Week 7 of this course.

Milestones

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The Final Paper is due in Week 7.

Submit your project to the Dropbox located on the silver tab at the top of this page. For instructions on how to use the Dropbox, read these step-by-step instructions or watch this Tutorial Dropbox Tutorial.

See the Syllabus section "Due Dates for Assignments & Exams" for due date information.

Grading Rubrics

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Category

Points

%

Description

Documentation and Formatting

25

10

The paper should follow instructions as outlined under the guidelines.

Organization and Cohesiveness

50

20

The paper should have topical flow with like subjects in each paragraph. Paragraphs should flow and link from one topic to the next. Instructor feedback from throughout the session should be integrated. Paragraph transitions should be present and logical. Page count should follow guidelines.

Editing

25

10

Sentences should be complete, clear, and concise. Sentence transitions should be present and maintain the flow of thought. Rules of grammar and punctuation should be followed. Spelling should be correct. Sentence structure should be clean and clear. The writing style should follow appropriate undergraduate-level writing.

Content

150

60

The paper content should be thorough, yet concise. Information included should be relevant to the topic and provide depth and clarity of theories, as well as theory application. All key elements of the assignment should be covered in a substantive way. Concepts should be reviewed clearly, supported by specific details (examples or analysis), and organized logically. The paper should link theory to relevant examples of current concepts and industry practice. There should be correct use of vocabulary and theory.

Total

250

100

A quality paper will meet or exceed all of the above requirements.

Best Practices

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These are suggestions for what could be included in this section.

The following are the best practices in preparing this paper.

Cover Page—Include who you prepared the paper for, who prepared it, and the date.

Table of Contents—List the main ideas and section of your paper and the pages in which they are located. The illustrations should be included separately.

Introduction—Use a header on your paper. This will indicate you are introducing your paper.

The purpose of an introduction or opening should do the following.

Introduce the subject and why the subject is important.

Preview the main ideas and the order in which they will be covered.

Establish a tone of the document.

Include in the introduction a reason for the audience to read the paper. Also, include an overview of what you are going to cover in your paper and the importance of the material. (This should include or introduce the questions you are asked to answer on each assignment.)

Body of Your Report—Use a header titled with the name of your project. Example: The Development of Hotel X—A World Class Resort. Then proceed to break out the main ideas. State the main ideas, state major points in each idea, and provide evidence. Break out each main idea you will use in the body of your paper. Show some type of division, such as separate sections that are labeled, separate group of paragraphs, or headers. You would include the information you found during your research and investigation.

Summary and Conclusion—Summarizing is similar to paraphrasing but presents the gist of the material in fewer words than the original. An effective summary identifies the main ideas and major support points from the body of your report. Minor details are left out. Summarize the benefits of the ideas and how they affect the tourism industry.

Work Cited—Use the citation format as specified in the Syllabus.

Additional hints on preparing the best possible project are as follows.

Apply a three-step process of writing: Plan, write, and complete.

Prepare an outline of your research paper before you go forward.

Complete a first draft and then go back to edit, evaluate, and make any changes required.

The following are the best practices in preparing this paper.

Create a separate title page, which includes name, paper title, and university.

Include an introductory paragraph that identifies the paper’s content: Introduce the subject and the reason it is important, preview the main ideas and the order in which they will be covered, and establish the document's tone.

Include a concluding paragraph that provides a summary of the major points from the paper.

Use a formal writing style for academic writing (sharing information and facts or theory).

Write your paper in third person.

Fully describe the concepts and theories. (What does the information mean?)

Apply a three-step process of writing: Plan, write, and complete.

When making a statement, for example, all people who break the law should improve their communication skills to stay out of jail, you must substantiate that statement. If that statement is not your own thought or a statistic, cite it. If it is your opinion, state that it is and explain the information that led to that conclusion. Provide enough information to validate and explain statements.

Minimize copied information, which just teaches you how to copy and paste. Use critical-thinking skills to understand the material researched.

HRM 330 DeVry Final Exam

Question 1. 1. (TCO 1) Explain the employment-at-will doctrine. How does this doctrine conflict with the belief that workers are more than just a commodity that can be bought and sold in a labor market? (Points : 30)

Question 6. 6. (TCO 6) If bargaining impasses occur so infrequently, and so few working days are lost due to strikes, why is it important to study bargaining impasses and various alternative dispute resolution mechanisms? (Points : 30)

Question 7. 7. (TCO 7) Explain the importance of seniority in union contracts, and discuss the various ways in which seniority is used in making job-related decisions. Why is seniority preferable to other methods of making these same decisions? (Points : 30)

Question 8. 8. (TCO 8) Explain the primary purpose of the European Union and its stance on labor standards for member countries. (Points : 40) to cover in your paper and the importance of the material. (This should include or introduce the questions you are asked to answer on each assignment.)

Body of Your Report—Use a header titled with the name of your project. Example: The Development of Hotel X—A World Class Resort. Then proceed to break out the main ideas. State the main ideas, state major points in each idea, and provide evidence. Break out each main idea you will use in the body of your paper. Show some type of division, such as separate sections that are labeled, separate group of paragraphs, or headers. You would include the information you found during your research and investigation.

Summary and Conclusion—Summarizing is similar to paraphrasing but presents the gist of the material in fewer words than the original. An effective summary identifies the main ideas and major support points from the body of your report. Minor details are left out. Summarize the benefits of the ideas and how they affect the tourism industry.

Work Cited—Use the citation format as specified in the Syllabus.

Additional hints on preparing the best possible project are as follows.

Apply a three-step process of writing: Plan, write, and complete.

Prepare an outline of your research paper before you go forward.

Complete a first draft and then go back to edit, evaluate, and make any changes required.

The following are the best practices in preparing this paper.

Create a separate title page, which includes name, paper title, and university.

Include an introductory paragraph that identifies the paper’s content: Introduce the subject and the reason it is important, preview the main ideas and the order in which they will be covered, and establish the document's tone.

Include a concluding paragraph that provides a summary of the major points from the paper.

Use a formal writing style for academic writing (sharing information and facts or theory).

Write your paper in third person.

Fully describe the concepts and theories. (What does the information mean?)

Apply a three-step process of writing: Plan, write, and complete.

When making a statement, for example, all people who break the law should improve their communication skills to stay out of jail, you must substantiate that statement. If that statement is not your own thought or a statistic, cite it. If it is your opinion, state that it is and explain the information that led to that conclusion. Provide enough information to validate and explain statements.